Tuscan Sun

Dreaming of visiting a Tuscan vineyard and winery was my inspiration for this piece, which was created with bead embroidery over a piece of pretty ribbon that I inherited from my mother's stash. The colors were so beautiful, I and I just had to enhance the design with beads.

I stitched the ribbon atop my trusty buckram, and proceeded to embellish it with seed beads in vintage chocolate brown 3 cuts that I salvaged from a 1960's cocktail gown, and  number 11 lilac, emerald, gold and blue seed beads. The effect upon the sunset colored background was gorgeous.

The clasp of the bracelet consists of a button with an emerald green center and a seed bead loop.

This bracelet was sold two years ago.

"Now let me sing of my Well-Beloved, a song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard : my Well-Beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill."

Isaiah 5:1

Floral Fantasy Pendant

This pendant was created by bead embroidery around a floral picture cabochon that I made myself.

I used a decorative marble "blob" that was flat on one side, and attached a snippet of pretty paper with glue.

I then attached the cabochon to buckram and proceeded to embroider around it with size 11 jonquil aurora borealis finished seed beads and peach alabaster finished seed beads, which complimented my little cabochon very nicely.

I backed the cabochon with black ultrasuede and stitched a bale for the chain, which is right angle weave.

A peach colored faceted bead and loop make up the clasp.

I am very inspired by the beauty of flowers and a floral theme flows consistently through my work.

"The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever".

Isaiah 40 : 8

Tiger Lily

I call this bracelet "Tiger Lily" because of the flower motif on the focal bead, and the colors, which reminded me of a tiger. This bracelet was contructed with a "bead soup" containing number 11 seed beads, pressed glass leaves, tiny wooden discs and spheres, and various size 8 seed beads. I inherited the bead from my mother's bead stash, and I have no idea where she got it, which added to the fun and mystery of the experience of creating it.

"So why do you worry about clothing ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Pearls in the Sand

I love the beach....about as much as I love the mountains. But the bracelet I feature today was inspired by the the seaside.

This cuff bracelet was created with bead embroidery, using size 11 seed beads and hex beads and freshwater pearls, applied to buckram and backed with soft ultrasuede. The colors I chose are pinks, peaches, browns and bronzes that remind me not only of the sand, but also hues often observed at dusk and dawn when the sun is rising or setting for the day. The clasp is a pearl button and loop.

My family has spent many Septembers at Topsail Island, and I remember my children's laughter, having fun as they looked for treasures along the shore. The treasures of memories of those days will warm my heart forever.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21

Blue Ridge

I love the Blue Ridge Mountains anytime, but especially in the spring and fall.

Springtime on the Blue Ridge was my inspiration here. 

This cuff bracelet was created with bead embroidery, which was applied to buckram and backed with buttery soft ultrasuede. The beads are size 11 myukis of blues, lavenders, greens and pinks.

The little "mountain" motifs are dotted with a 4mm fire polished crystal, and the pink "mountain laurel"flower in the foreground of the bracelet is created with the same. There are a few bugle beads scattered about, added for textural interest.
The claps is a button and loop closure. I liked the button's antique feel, and the deep pink center, which complimented the pinks in the design.

I love to visit our family vacation home in the Blue Ridge and watch the colors of the mountains change as the mist creeps in over their soft rolling peaks. There's something about the majesty of the mountains that speaks peace to my soul.

"The voice of my Beloved ! Behold, He comes leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills"

Song of Solomon 2:8

Victoria

I love beads. It is a selfish, dominating love. But I think they love me back, because they always do what pleases me. Well, most of the time anyway.

Today I begin my blog about beads, crochet and other art mediums that have captured my fancy.

This blog is most lovingly dedicated to the honor of my dear mother,

Jayne Claire Jones Ware, who nurtured my love for all things beautiful, especially beads.

She passed away a few years ago yet, when I am creating or designing, I feel her somehow near.

She was a great artist, and so I thank her for the inheritance and legacy of art.

The piece I am featuring today is a needle woven net collar. It was woven with Berkley's Fireline, in 8 lb strength and the color "Crystal" with size 11 czec seed beads in white and jonquil with an AB, or aurora borealis finish. The necklace was woven in two layers, with the bottom netted layer being the first.

The top was embellished with 3 cut crystal seed beads and some other oddly shaped crystal beads that I bought when I was visiting my brother in Rockwall, TX last year. They are transparent and very beautiful, though the photo doesn't show them off very well.

The embellishment also features white and light peach colored freshwater pearls.

The clasp is a pearl button and loop. 

I call this piece "Victoria" because I felt a sense of victory in completing it !

I imagine this adorning the neck of a beautiful bride as she delights her groom upon his first sight of her as she walks the aisle to meet him. The luminous pearls and crystals encircling her neck flicker in the light of the moon  as she dances joyfully at her reception, surrounded by beloved family and friends.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world ~ our faith." I John 5:4